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Pierre Schaeffer - Erotic

 

Author: Julia Ranft

B.A. American Studies (HF), English Studies (NF)

Email: s0173273@stud.uni-frankfurt.de

Matrikelnummer: 7485864

The Future of (American) Music

Prof. Dr. Bernd Herzogenrath

Listening Report 7

Pierre Schaeffer - Erotic

            Pierre Schaeffer's "Erotic" is a seminal piece of musique concrète, a type of electroacoustic music that emphasizes the manipulation of recorded sounds as its primary compositional technique. Schaeffer was a pioneer in this genre, and "Erotic" is a prime example of his innovative approach to sound composition.

            At its core, "Erotic" is an exploration of the sensual and erotic aspects of sound. Schaeffer takes a variety of recorded sounds, ranging from the mundane to the exotic, and manipulates them in ways that bring out their erotic potential. He uses techniques such as pitch shifting, time stretching, and filtering to create a sonic landscape that is both immersive and evocative.

            One of the most striking aspects of "Erotic" is its use of non-musical sounds as its primary source material. Schaeffer takes sounds that are not typically thought of as musical - such as footsteps, rustling fabric, and breathing - and turns them into musical elements. By doing so, he challenges our conventional understanding of what music is and what it can be.

            Another notable aspect of "Erotic" is its use of repetition and variation. Schaeffer takes short, simple sounds and loops them, building complex rhythms and textures over time. He then introduces new sounds and manipulates them in different ways, creating a constantly evolving sonic landscape that is both mesmerizing and unpredictable.

            Schaeffer's use of sound in "Erotic" is not merely titillating, however. It is also a deeply intellectual exploration of the nature of sound itself. By taking sounds out of their original context and manipulating them in new ways, Schaeffer is questioning our assumptions about the way we perceive and understand the world around us. He is asking us to listen differently, to pay attention to the subtleties of sound and to embrace the unexpected.

            In conclusion, Pierre Schaeffer's "Erotic" is a remarkable piece of musique concrète that explores the sensual and erotic potential of sound. Through his use of non-musical sounds, repetition, and variation, Schaeffer creates a sonic landscape that is immersive, evocative, and intellectually stimulating. "Erotic" challenges our assumptions about what music is and what it can be, and invites us to listen more deeply and attentively to the world around us.

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